By Eddie Wren
For four hundred years there was silence. Darkness, if you will.
There was no communication from Heaven as the prophets had no word from God. That sounds very strange to those of us who have a copy, or multiple copies, of God’s Word at our disposal.
Even so, that was the situation for the world before the first Christmas. Can you imagine the desperation the world found itself in? Perhaps you can. Maybe you are in such a desperate situation yourself at the present. If so, maybe reflection on the Christmas story will help.
The world was in darkness and I am not sure anyone noticed. But then all at once there was light. It began with a visit from an angel to a priest named Zechariah.
Luke 1:8ff tells us Zechariah was performing his priestly service to the Lord when the angel of the Lord suddenly appeared.
As you can imagine, Zechariah was terrified.
But the angel brought news of joy and gladness and informed Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would have a son who would be the forerunner of the Messiah.
Then in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel appeared again, but this time to a relative of Elizabeth named Mary and then to Mary’s husband to be, Joseph. The angel informed Mary and Joseph that Mary would give birth to a child who would be called the Son of God. His name would be Jesus for He would save His people from their sins.
Not many days later, John, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son was born. He would turn hearts back to the Lord.
Then six months later Jesus was born and God was revealed in the flesh.
The darkness was expelled.
The silence broken.
John wrote, “There was the true Light which coming into the world, enlightens every man . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:9, 14).
The world that had been enveloped in darkness and silence was given a fresh start; a new beginning in and through Jesus Christ.
I pray this message finds you refreshed and joy filled as you celebrate Christ’s birth. Odds are some reading this article are not so joy filled.
You need a change.
I have great news for you. Christmas is all about change. Jesus was born on this earth that you and I could be born again or transformed by the grace of God. Jesus has come that you might be a new creature.
Not only that, but every person that trusts Christ gains a new family. Each believer is a child of God and a part of the family of God.
What a blessing.
Even though we know God and the blessings of being His children, we are prone to wander. When we wander, we find ourselves in need of refreshment.
Because of the birth, sinless life, death and resurrection of Christ, the Bible tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9).
I pray the Christmas season provides you with hope. If you need a fresh start, I pray you find it as you reflect on God’s break through two thousand years ago. I pray, just as the Light broke through the darkness then, He will break through any darkness that surrounds you now.
Eddie Wren is pastor of First Baptist Church, Rayville, and is Louisiana Baptist Convention president.
